The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office arrested 11 people, including Venezuelan nationals living in Aurora and Denver, over a two month operation following a dramatic increase in reports of auto thefts.

Some of the suspects have been released to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, while federal authorities have issued an immigration detainer for another suspect. An immigration detainer typically means federal agents intends to take custody of an individual once that person is no longer subject to a local law enforcement unit’s detention.

Authorities said they are looking into whether the suspects are part or connected to an organized crime.

In a news release on Tuesday, the sheriff’s office said the operation began after 33 vehicles were reported stolen in the county in July —  a “concerning total.”

“In recent weeks, the Sheriff’s Office has conducted multiple investigations, (including) executing search warrants, making numerous traffic stops, and pursuing suspects who try to flee,” the sheriff’s office said.

Seventeen stolen vehicles and two stolen weapons were also recovered during the operation, authorities said.

Police said one of the cases involved a suspect, seen on surveillance footage, carrying a handgun while trying to break into vehicles in a Douglas County neighborhood.

Another case led to a recovered stolen vehicle from Douglas County that was linked to an armed carjacking in another city, where shots were fired at the victim.

The 11 suspects are:

• 28-year-old Jorge Gutierrez, a Venezuelan national, who faces charges of vehicular theft

• 33-year-old Axel Cardenas, a Columbian national living in Denver, who faces charges of burglary, tools, criminal trespass. He was released to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

• 29-year-old Yilbert Maldonaldo, a Venezuelan national living in Aurora, who faces charges of burglary, tools, criminal trespass. He was released to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

• 20-year-old Jose Murillo, a Venezuelan national living in Aurora, who faces charges of burglary, possession of burglary tools, criminal trespass. He remains in Douglas County custody. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has provided an immigration detainer.

• 30-year-old Lana Tamara Fernandez, a Denver resident, who faces charges of motor vehicle theft and vehicular eluding

• 25-year-old Wister Antonio Diaz-Caballero, a Florida resident, who faces charges of driving on suspended license, eluding, and possession of drug paraphernalia

• 36-year-old Jennifer Cait Anderson, a Parker resident, faces charges of motor vehicle theft, possession of burglary tools, drug offenses

• Four juveniles

Police are still investigating whether the suspects are part or connected to an organized crime.

Sheriff Darren Weekly noted the importance the community plays in preventing crimes.

“We need the community’s help to prevent crimes of opportunity. Lock your cars and your homes,” he said.

“Some of these thieves are armed and dangerous. Do not confront them. Call 911. The last thing we want is for someone to get hurt,” he added.